City that rode India’s sunset-years boom to success

Mumbai is not India's senior-living capital, nor is Delhi or Bengaluru. It is Coimbatore, a city in southern India known for its pleasant climate, robust healthcare facilities, and well-developed infrastructure. Nandivardhan Jain, the founder and CEO of hospitality and real estate advisory firm Noesis, reported that Coimbatore has approximately 5,500 organized senior-living units, more than any other city in India.

According to the firm's findings, less than a quarter of these units are owned by locals, with the majority being residents from Chennai, Bengaluru, Kerala, and returning Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from the Middle East.

A benchmarking study conducted by Noesis found that only the oldest senior-living community in Coimbatore was operating at full occupancy, while newer developments in other markets were running at between 60-70% occupancy. However, demand for senior-living units is on the rise in several markets, according to experts. PS Srikumar, founder of Chennai-based eldercare consulting firm Care Finder, pointed out that India needs around 300,000 organized senior-living units to meet demand, with supply still lagging in cities like Bengaluru and Kerala.

The economics of senior living are also evolving, with prices for senior-living villas in Coimbatore rising from Rs 70 lakh to approximately Rs 3.5 crore in recent years.

The stigma surrounding senior living as a necessary care product is fading, with more people viewing it as a desired lifestyle choice, especially among younger retirees seeking safety, convenience, and a sense of community. Property developers and eldercare providers are responding to this growing opportunity. A joint report by real estate consultancy JLL and the Association of Senior Living India revealed that as of June 2026, organised senior-living supply in India stood at 25,050 units, representing a 14.2% compound annual growth rate since 2024. Occupancy rates at well-managed facilities were estimated to be between 80-85%.

Coimbatore's early adoption of retirement communities gave it a head start in the senior-living sector, according to Rajagopal G, founder of Kites Senior Care. The city now accounts for over 22% of India's senior-living inventory, with nearly half of this stock concentrated in southern markets. Coimbatore's healthcare infrastructure and pleasant weather have attracted both developers and retirees, while changing family structures and the prevalence of nuclear families have also contributed to the demand for senior living.

Neeraj Sagar, who runs WisdomCircle—a platform that connects retired senior professionals with meaningful work opportunities—emphasized Coimbatore's advantage due to its proximity to Chennai, where their families reside. Today, the average buyer for senior-living units is between 58-65 years old, often choosing to move before the need for care arises.

Developers are now focusing on creating an aspirational product rather than a purely clinical one, focusing on factors like climate, cost of living, accessible airports, and the overall community rather than just healthcare as a key selling point.